Civil Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's civil engineering sector draws international talent through infrastructure agencies, environmental consultancies, and defense contractors concentrated in Providence, Warwick, and Cranston. Firms like Jacobs, Stantec, and CDM Smith maintain active presences here, with the state's bridge rehabilitation programs and coastal resiliency projects generating consistent demand for sponsored civil engineers.
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At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
Primary Responsibilities
The Senior Civil/Highway Engineer will work as a member of the civil engineering design team on projects serving clients in the New England area. The position requires leading the design of civil engineering projects to support our clients while meeting the fundamental obligation to prioritize the safety, health, and welfare of the public. This requires a thorough understanding of applicable design and safety standards and the application of best practices in the development of the design. The position includes preparation of plans, detail drawings, and quantity estimation for projects of various sizes and complexities. The Civil Department engages in several areas of design including highway & local roadway design, green infrastructure, stormwater management, drainage & grading, and multi-modal transportation designs for clients throughout New England including MassDOT, MBTA, NHDOT, RIDOT, and the City of Boston. The candidate will need to be a self-motivated individual who maintains a high level of professionalism while performing engineering assignments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- A minimum of 10 years experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, communication skills and ability to work with various teams
- Project management skills desirable
- Experience should include urban and rural highway interchanges, intersection design, traffic management, transportation planning, site planning, preparation of concept alignments, geometrical layout and CAD base alignment plans
- Must have coordinated survey, grading, drainage and utilities and layout of various site items is a plus
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on roadway and utility design, grading, site layout, stormwater management, complete streets practices, green infrastructure applications, and construction management
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar field
- Professional Engineer certification
- Possess strong problem-solving and communication skills
- Attention to detail and exemplary work ethic
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
- Preferred experience with MassDOT, MBTA, and Massachusetts municipalities. Recommended experience with other New England state DOT’s
- Preferred proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D. Recommended experience with MicroStation OpenRoads
- Experience in project management
- Local candidates given preference
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)
Compensation
- Boston, MA: $139,524 - $199,320
- Providence, RI: $122,525 - $175,035
- Bedford, NH: $122,525 - $175,035
- Rocky Hill, CT: $128,359 - $183,370
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston
Other Locations: United States-New Hampshire-Bedford, United States-Connecticut-Rocky Hill, United States-Rhode Island-Providence
Industry: Highway + Road
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
BusinessClass: Highways
Job Posting: Dec 10, 2025
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.
Civil Engineer Job Roles in Rhode Island
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Search Civil Engineer Jobs in Rhode IslandCivil Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for civil engineers in Rhode Island?
Engineering consultancies with established Rhode Island offices are the most active sponsors for civil engineers. CDM Smith, Jacobs, and Stantec have historically filed H-1B visa petitions for engineering roles in the state. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation also engages consulting firms that sponsor international engineers. Smaller environmental and geotechnical firms occasionally sponsor, though larger consultancies with dedicated immigration support are more consistent sponsors.
Which visa types are most common for civil engineer roles in Rhode Island?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for civil engineers in Rhode Island, as civil engineering qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in the field. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for the TN visa under the NAFTA/USMCA professional categories, which does not require H-1B lottery selection. Engineers with extraordinary ability may also explore the O-1A, though this requires substantial documentation of professional distinction.
Which cities in Rhode Island have the most civil engineer sponsorship jobs?
Providence concentrates the highest share of civil engineering sponsorship activity, given its status as the state capital and hub for infrastructure and municipal project work. Warwick and Cranston also host engineering firm offices tied to transportation and environmental contracts. East Providence has seen activity related to waterfront and coastal infrastructure work. Rhode Island's compact geography means most sponsored roles are accessible from Providence.
How to find civil engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Rhode Island?
Migrate Mate lets you filter civil engineer jobs specifically by visa sponsorship availability and state, making it straightforward to identify Rhode Island employers actively open to sponsoring international candidates. Because Rhode Island's market is smaller than neighboring Massachusetts, targeting firms with federal or state infrastructure contracts is a practical approach. Migrate Mate's job board surfaces those employers so you can focus applications where sponsorship is already on the table.
Are there state-specific factors civil engineers should know about sponsoring roles in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's coastal geography makes coastal engineering, stormwater management, and resilience planning particularly active specializations, with state and federal funding channeling work to consultancies in these areas. The University of Rhode Island and Brown University produce engineering graduates who sometimes transition through OPT before seeking H-1B sponsorship, so firms in the state are generally familiar with that pathway. Prevailing wage requirements apply to all H-1B positions, and Rhode Island's wage levels are set by the Department of Labor based on local area data.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored civil engineer jobs in Rhode Island?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.